Method and apparatus for beverage dispensing including container stopper
AssigneeCoravin, Inc.
InventorsGregory Lambrecht, Michael Rider, Andrew S. Sweezey, Otto DeRuntz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for dispensing sparkling and other non-pressurized beverages from a container. Sparkling wine and other beverages may be dispensed using a dispensing system that includes a stopper body that can be engaged with the container at the container opening. The stopper body may be arranged to introduce gas into the container during pouring-type dispensing, as well as re-pressurize and seal the container for storage, e.g., to keep a carbonation level of beverage remaining in the container.
Claims24
A system for dispensing a beverage from a container having a neck, an opening at the neck to access an internal volume of the container, and a lip on an outer surface of the neck, the system comprising:
- a stopper body having a lower surface arranged to contact and form a seal with a portion of the neck around the opening, a dispensing pathway extending through the stopper body from a lower portion to an upper portion of the stopper body, and a gas inlet pathway extending from a gas inlet port to the lower portion of the stopper body;
- a cap arranged to seal the dispensing pathway at the upper portion of the stopper body, the cap being movable between an open position in which the dispensing pathway is open to dispense beverage from the container and a closed position in which the dispensing pathway is closed, wherein the cap is adapted to produce a sound that simulates a cork popping from a sparkling wine bottle when the cap moves from the closed position to the open position;
- and
- a lip engagement member adapted to engage with the lip on the neck and to engage with the stopper body and exert a force on the stopper body to urge the lower surface into contact with the portion of the neck around the opening.
A system for dispensing a beverage from a container having a neck, an opening at the neck to access an internal volume of the container, and a lip on an outer surface of the neck, the system comprising:
- a stopper body having a lower surface arranged to contact and form a seal with a portion of the neck around the opening, a dispensing pathway extending through the stopper body from a lower portion to an upper portion of the stopper body, and a gas inlet pathway extending from a gas inlet port to the lower portion of the stopper body;
- a cap arranged to seal the dispensing pathway at the upper portion of the stopper body, the cap being movable between an open position in which the dispensing pathway is open to dispense beverage from the container and a closed position in which the dispensing pathway is closed, wherein the cap is attached to the stopper body by a hinge that allows the cap to be moved between open and closed positions relative to the dispensing pathway;
- and
- a lip engagement member adapted to engage with the lip on the neck and to engage with the stopper body and exert a force on the stopper body to urge the lower surface into contact with the portion of the neck around the opening.
A system for dispensing a beverage from a container having a neck, an opening at the neck to access an internal volume of the container, and a lip on an outer surface of the neck, the system comprising:
- a stopper body having a lower surface arranged to contact and form a seal with a portion of the neck around the opening, a dispensing pathway extending through the stopper body from a lower portion to an upper portion of the stopper body, and a gas inlet pathway extending from a gas inlet port to the lower portion of the stopper body;
- a cap arranged to seal the dispensing pathway at the upper portion of the stopper body, the cap being movable between an open position in which the dispensing pathway is open to dispense beverage from the container and a closed position in which the dispensing pathway is closed;
- a lip engagement member adapted to engage with the lip on the neck and to engage with the stopper body and exert a force on the stopper body to urge the lower surface into contact with the portion of the neck around the opening;
- and
- a pressure indicator attached to the stopper body to indicate a pressure in the internal volume of the container.
A system for dispensing a beverage from a container having a neck, an opening at the neck to access an internal volume of the container, and a lip on an outer surface of the neck, the system comprising:
- a stopper body having a lower surface arranged to contact and form a seal with a portion of the neck around the opening, a dispensing pathway extending through the stopper body from a lower portion to an upper portion of the stopper body, and a gas inlet pathway extending from a gas inlet port to the lower portion of the stopper body;
- a cap arranged to seal the dispensing pathway at the upper portion of the stopper body;
- and
- a sleeve adapted to receive the container in an inner space of the sleeve and to engage with the stopper body and exert a force on the stopper body to urge the lower surface into contact with the portion of the neck around the opening, wherein the sleeve is adapted to cover the container and hold a broken glass container in the inner space.
A system for storing a beverage in a container having a neck, an opening at the neck to access an internal volume of the container, and a lip on an outer surface of the neck, the system comprising:
- a stopper body having a lower surface arranged to contact and form a seal with a portion of the neck around the opening, and a gas inlet pathway extending from a gas inlet port to the lower surface of the stopper body;
- a lip engagement member including at least one clamp arranged to engage with the lip on the neck and to engage with the stopper body and exert a force on the stopper body to urge the lower surface into contact with the portion of the neck around the opening, wherein the at least one clamp includes a lever adapted to be gripped by hand and moved to urge the stopper body toward the lip;
- and
- a sleeve adapted to receive the container in an inner space of the sleeve and to engage with the stopper body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.